Six: The Shining (1980)

A cinematic masterpiece hated by its very creator. If you listen to what the father of horror has to say about his third novels film adaptation, you’d be surprised it ever made it to the screen. The Shining is a film with lines so iconic that people who haven’t seen the film would be able to quote it. And, yes, Stephen King himself absolutely abhors Kubrick’s adaptation. These two artists’ visions for what the movie should be were so different that King was fired from being the screenwriter…. of his own story.

Their disputes aside, what Kubrick created was truly a masterpiece. I am somewhere around 36 hours off of my last rewatch of this movie and what an incredible ride it was. Nicholson’s depiction of an axe wielding, self-proclaimed dull boy is something that lives only within nightmares. His preparation for this role was extremely intense, and it shows in the final product. He did what no other man dare do: Eat only cheese sandwiches, which he hates, for weeks to get into the correct “angry” headspace of the character. Truly a visionary approach.

I wish dry sarcasm played better through writing, but it doesn’t.

His cheese consumption aside, this was one of those instances where the production side was nearly as thought-provoking as the film itself. Psychological warfare being waged on the actors so intensely that most of them are still in therapy, 900 tons of salt and Styrofoam styled to resemble snow, a cigarettes ash defying gravity. The list goes on. As with every one of these articles, let’s drink to their sacrifice.

What could we possibly ever pair with this film? Well, Tony gave us the answer. Redrum. No, not murder… Rather “Red-Rum.” Any bartender who sees phrase will most likely immediately jump to the exact same conclusion, especially if we take into consideration the final picture of the movie. The 4th of July 1921. Only 2 years earlier, the world was given one of the greatest contributions to bartending: The Negroni. I can just see all those party guests sipping down countless of these simple yet complex cocktails. Let’s extend this connection one step further. A Negroni requires gin, which we will substitute for rum, Campari, and Vermouth. It just so happens that an hour and a half away from the Timberline Lodge, the hotel used for the exterior shots of the Overlook, there are countless wonderful wineries. None of them make Vermouth, but that is no problem. The addition of a complex syrup will create the illusion of a fortified wine. If all of that was not enough for you, this drink will also have a sidecar in celebration of Jack’s 5 months of sobriety. And now, the sixth of thirteen:

Red-Rum

• 1 oz of Diplomático Rum

• 1 oz of Campari

• 0.75 oz of a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

• 0.25 oz of Camomile, Vanilla, & Orange Peel Syrup*

• Orange Peel & Cherry

• 1.5 oz of Jack Daniel’s**

In a mixing glass, combine Diplomático Rum, Campari, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, and the Camomile, Vanilla, & Orange Peel Syrup. Stir over ice. Strain over fresh ice in a Rock’s Glass. Garnish with a hexagonally cut Orange Peel with a Cherry in its center to resemble the Overlook's carpet pattern. Served with a sidecar of Jack Daniel’s on the rocks.

*In a pot, combine 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 of water, 1/2 tablespoon of Camomile, 1/2 tablespoon of Vanilla, and 5 Orange Peels. Bring to a simmer. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before straining the contents.

**In the bar scene, Jack drinks with the best god damn bartender, Lloyd. He sips Jack Daniel’s on the rocks, drinking to “5 miserable months on the wagon and all of the irreparable harm it’s caused.”